Attractions

Corris

Nestled in the hillside, many a passing motorist is unaware of the
existance of Corris and its attractions.
The pretty grey slate buildings now only have the memories of this
bustling slate mining centre. Little has changed, preserving the
village like a time capsule. Visit the Slaters
Arms, once echoing the singing voices of drinking miners.
The singing continues today and it is still the meeting point for
social interaction with photos of past glories adorning the walls.
The landlord is a character and the villagers friendly, with a good
chance of being roped into a game of pool or dominoes. For an alternative
venue which runs special attractions, there is the Braich
Goch Inn on the main road.

It was in 1859 that Corris Railway first opened. Now, after 35 years of volunteer activity, the Corris
Railway Society has started running public services again this year (every Sunday during the season). In the railway museum there are good exhibits of the local and social mining and railway history. Railway enthusiasts will also enjoy the Talyllyn
Railway in the next valley. Catch a train to Dolgoch
Falls for stunning falls canopied in old woodland trees.

Back in Corris, the Craft
Centre gives opportunity to watch the artists at work on their crafts--pyrography, wood, quilting , glass, cards, pottery, jewellery, leather and candlemaking. Also resident here is King
Arthur's Labyrinth where a boat takes visitors into spectacular
underground caverns where tales of the Welsh mythology are retold.
These include the lost kingdom of Cantre'r Gwaelod and the "Welsh King Arthur." The complex also has a tourist information
centre and restaurant.

The Heritage Walk Guide will give
you an opportunity to explore Corris and visit the Italian Gardens and remains of Abercorris Slate Quarry.
More tourist information can be obtained through the Tourist
Information Centre by phoning 01654 761244

Natural Attarctions

Numerous pathways through changing landscapes
of meadowland, forest, ravines, cascading waterfalls and Alpine areas
provide choice and variety for both walkers and cyclists.

Energetic walkers will find
a challenge in Cadair Idris (3 miles west of Corris),
an extinct volcano with Llyn Cau,
its crater lake. For many, it has a special attraction and it is said
that "to sleep on the mountain
overnight you will either end up a poet or a mad man."
On its north side lies the Cregennen
Lakes, site of ancient settlement and
standing stones.

The lakes also have good fishing. On the west flank
is the Dysynni Valley,
within which, perched on a wooded outcrop, are the ruins of a 13th
Century castle built by Llewelyn
the Great. Its western entrance is guarded
by Bird Rock, a vertical ediface of some 800 feet in height with an Iron Age settlement on top. Cormorants nest in its crags and fly 5 miles to the sea for their daily catch of fish.

The Dyfi Estuary,
with over 5,500 acres of estuarine complex, has been designated a biosphere reserve,
one of eleven sites in Britain chosen to protect the best examples
of Britain's habitat and wildlife. Bird watching enthusiasts will
enjoy the large Royal Society for the Preservation of Birds reserve
at Ynys Hir.
There are numerous hides overlooking the Dyfi
Estuary and adjacent woodlands, as well
as an information centre and shop.

The Ynyslas National Marine Reserve, with massive sand dunes and broadwalks is
well equipped with an information and education centre. The coastline
here has miles of golden sands. At low tide, distant sand banks produce
beautiful wave crests, and expose vitrified oak forest stumps some
6000 years old. This is the legendary land of Cantre'r
Gwaelod and King
Gwyddno Garanhir whose land was lost
when the dykes failed, washing 16 villages and some 1000 people into
the sea.

Cyclists are well catered for. Try "Machynlleth
Mountain Biking" with its special
routes. The adventurous can explore ancient trails and forestry tracks.
Those en route can use the Welsh
National Cycle route 8 which passes
through both Corris and Machynlleth.
Pony trekking, golf, clay pigeon shooting, field archery, and marine
activities are also available within the area.

Machynlleth & Dyfi Valley

Machynlleth,
the meeting point of ancient lands and its clans, has always been
a focal point in history. It hosted the legendary Owain
Glyndwr's last Welsh parliament in
1404. The Parliament House can still be visited today and one can
learn about the town's role as the ancient capital of Wales.

The Tourist Information Office (tel: 01654 702 401)
is alongside it. There has been a bustling Wednesday street market here for over 700 years. There is a strong representation of local artistic talent among the many unique shops and galleries of arts
and crafts. You can even buy a tipi or authentic tribal tent here!

The contemporary art of Wales is displayed at Y
Tabernacl, which is also the host
of Machynlleth's annual music festival in August. In September, there is the Medieval
fayre with much pageantry.

Down the estuary at Borth,
one can visit the Animalarium, where conservation and the preservation
of endangered species through captive breeding are studied.

In 1975, the opening of the Centre
for Alternative Technology made a
major impact on the area. Since then, it has become Europe's leading
eco-centre with dynamic displays and exhibits showing different methods
of generating and storing energy from the environment, life-style
alternatives and bioculture. It also has an award-winning environmental
website and its educational facilities and consultancy are recognised
throughout the world.

It is not surprizing, therefore, to find that Machynlleth is now being recognised as the "Alternative
Capital of Wales". The
Dyfi Eco-Valley Partnership evolved
"to foster sustainable community regeneration in the Dyfi
Valley" and in using its skills
and resources, to set standards and by example, provide leadership
in sustainable lifestyle.